*

‘You were a sealer of the sum…’

The Living One

*

…Then was he led up into the deserts

and hungered in the wilderness

with wild beasts for forty days.

*

Said the voice, “If you are a Child of God

command these stones become bread.”

He said, “It is written that man shall not live by bread alone

but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”

*

…Then was he led up into the city

and set upon a pinnacle of the temple.

*

Said the voice, “If you are a Child of God

cast yourself down, for it is written…

‘He shall give his angels charge concerning you

and on their hands they shall bear you up

lest you should happen to dash your foot against a stone.’”

He said, “It is written that man shall not tempt the Lord his God.”

*

Then was he led up into the mountains

and shown the kingdoms of the world

in all their glory.

*

Said the voice, “All these things shall be yours

if you will only fall down and worship me.”

He said, “Get behind me.

It is written that man shall worship God

and shall serve him alone.”

*

Said the voice, “You are my beloved child

and in you I am well pleased.”

 

…And the Spirit, as a dove, descended upon

him and the angels ministered to him.